For Trump, a year of high drama at home and abroad

President Donald Trump faced battles across many fronts in 2018, ending the year politically weakened after his Republican Party lost control of the U.S. House of Representatives at midterm elections in November.

27 Feb 2018. Washington, United States. Reuters/Leah Millis

White House Communications Director Hope Hicks leaves the U.S. Capitol after attending the House Intelligence Committee closed door meeting. Leah Millis: "This is the product of about seven hours of waiting and lots of team work involving constant coordination to guess where to wait in order to capture Hope Hicks as she left the hill. Luckily, there were several cameramen along for the moment and their lighting captured her perfectly."

He began the year much as he ended 2017. He faced internal strife in a White House gripped by chaos and drama, losing his staff secretary, Rob Porter, who was forced out when allegations surfaced of past domestic abuse.

National security adviser H.R. McMaster was removed, and was replaced by hard-charging John Bolton. Aide Hope Hicks resigned after years of service to Trump. The year ended with Trump pushing out Attorney General Jeff Sessions and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Previously, Trump has denied his White House is chaotic, describing it in TV interviews as a “well-oiled machine.” He also disputed that he was weakened by the elections, pointing to the Senate, where Republicans extended their majority. "Yesterday was such a very Big Win," Trump tweeted on Nov. 7, the day after the elections.

12 Jun 2018. Singapore, Singapore. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

Jonathan Ernst: "On a historic and difficult day, it was fun to look for the odd angle or expression. Here, Trump and Kim walk away after impromptu remarks to reporters - which clearly pleased the North Korean leader."

In international affairs, Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal despite the pleas of European allies to stay in. He also met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a bid to end a long nuclear standoff. The summit eased tensions that both Kim and Trump had inflamed in the preceding months, but North Korea has yet to commit to a plan to end its arms program.

16 Jul 2018. Helsinki, Finland. Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

Kevin Lamarque: "Body language can give an ordinary photo extraordinary meaning, and here, Trump and Putin did not disappoint."

Trump was fiercely criticized by Democrats and some Republicans for his performance at a summit meeting in Helsinki with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July. Instead of condemning Russia’s alleged intervention in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Trump cast doubt on the findings of his own intelligence services.

Trump’s administration applied new sanctions on Russia but critics, including prominent national security experts in Congress, said his performance at the Helsinki summit was weak.

A criminal investigation into alleged ties between Trump’s election campaign team and Russian officials brought further pressure on Trump and his allies.

Trump has frequently defended his meeting with Putin, calling it a great success. He also has denied any collusion between his campaign and Moscow in 2016, saying publicly many times that the Russia investigation is nothing more than a “witch hunt.”

Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team indicted and won convictions against more of Trump’s former aides, including his personal lawyer Michael Cohen and former campaign manager Paul Manafort.

6 Nov 2018. Indianapolis, United States. Reuters/Chris Bergin

Chris Bergin: "I saw the colour-coordinated woman in the back of the ball room while covering mid-term elections. She stood out to me because she was lit by a single overhead light that created deep shadows."

Trump received credit for a strong U.S. economy but it was not enough to prevent Democrats from winning control of the House in November.

The president’s toughest domestic test came along the southern U.S. border with Mexico, where his administration’s policy of separating children of illegal immigrants from their parents prompted a humanitarian crisis. He maintained a strident stance on potential border crossers, condemning a caravan of would-be immigrants from Central America and deploying U.S. troops along the border.

14 Feb 2018. Washington, United States. Reuters/Joshua Roberts

Fred Guttenberg (left), the father of Jaime Guttenberg, a victim of the February 14, 2018 mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, reaches out to try to shake hands with U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh during his U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing. Joshua Roberts: "This came in a break in testimony and Kavanaugh was surprised as Guttenberg approached but as he turned away he looked anxious. Kavanaugh later said he did not understand who Guttenberg was at the time."

Trump’s biggest political triumph was getting his second Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, through Senate confirmation, but not without a price. Kavanaugh was accused of sexual assault dating back to his teenage years. Christine Blasey Ford provided damaging testimony but U.S. senators, many citing a lack of firm evidence, confirmed Kavanaugh in a narrow 50-48 vote.

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Slideshow

8 Jan 2018. Nashville, United States. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

Jonathan Ernst: "One of my favorite photographers, Sam Abell, likes to quote his father: "Bad weather makes good pictures." In addition to the weather, the controlled chaos of White House press handlers and Secret Service agents help make pictures like this possible."

17 Jan 2018. Washington, United States. Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

U.S. President Donald Trump confers with White House Communications Director Hope Hicks (left) as White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders listens during an interview with Reuters at the White House. Kevin Lamarque: "I stayed in the room after our reporters had left, and seemingly unnoticed like the cliched fly on the wall, I was witnessing to this unsettling moment."

30 Jan 2018. Washington, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Carlos Barria: "The State of the Union speech is one of the most important political events at the beginning of the year. We usually photograph it from several fixed positions, but this year I was assigned to be the 'rotating' photographer, meaning I could move around on the balcony and shoot from different angles, but only during short windows of time. During one of those windows, I found an interesting play of light reflected off a gold-colored railing, which, at a certain angle, could be seen to fall over the president."

21 Feb 2018. Washington, United States. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

Jonathan Ernst: "This event was loaded with raw emotion as school shooting victims from across the country described their experience as student-survivors or as friends and family who never stop mourning dead children. President Trump was given a hand-written card by one of his aides to help him navigate the emotional meeting, and pictures of the card helped tell the story of the day."

2 Apr 2018. Washington, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Carlos Barria: "There are many holiday events at the White House, but one of the most light-hearted happens during Easter, when the President shows up at the balcony of the South Portico accompanied by someone in a big Easter bunny costume. I didn't have the best position, but towards the end, the bunny stood behind the President and I was able to take this shot."

3 Apr 2018. Washington, United States. Reuters/Leah Millis

Alex van der Zwaan goes through security at the U.S. District Court after arriving for his sentencing. Leah Millis: "Everyone has to go through security, no matter who you are. He seemed to embrace the inevitable as the woman with the wand asked him to turn around, facing him back towards the doors where many of the news media were still gathered."

16 Apr 2018. New York, United States. Reuters/Shannon Stapleton

Adult-film actress Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels, puts her shoe back on after passing through a security screening, as she arrives at federal court in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Shannon Stapleton: "On the morning that I took this picture there was a mad scrum outside the courthouse to get a picture of Stormy Daniels. She didn't enter the regular entrance of a media gauntlet that was set up for her. I placed myself by a window where I saw her passing through the metal detector. Shooting through the window was difficult but I was able to make the frame."

23 Apr 2018. Mount Vernon, United States. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

Jonathan Ernst : "I'm always happy for events that take us off the White House campus and provide new visual opportunities. This day, when the Trumps feted the Macrons at George Washington's historic estate, it provided just the right contrast for the stylish leader-couples as they took their spots for an otherwise posed moment."

9 May 2018. Washington, United States. Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

A protester is removed during acting CIA Director Gina Haspel's testimony at her Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill. Kevin Lamarque: "Just like sports, you have to follow the action. This time, I followed it out of the hearing room and into the hallway."

14 May 2018. Jerusalem, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

Senior White House Adviser Ivanka Trump and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stand next to the dedication plaque at the new U.S. embassy during the dedication ceremony in Jerusalem. Ronen Zvulun: "I shot this picture when I was standing on a platform really close to Ivanka Trump. I knew exactly where to stand and what lens to use because I did a tour the day before. I knew this was the key picture we had been waiting for since the story broke some weeks before."

7 Jun 2018. Washington, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Carlos Barria: "I always say that as photojournalists we photograph through the lens of the lives we live, including the books we read, the music we listen to, the movies we watch. As I was waiting for President Trump to arrive at an event one day, I noticed U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo standing right behind me in classic dark sunglasses. The image of John Belushi in the movie "The Blues Brothers" crossed my mind."

8 Jun 2018. Charlevoix, Canada. Reuters/Leah Millis

Leah Millis: "This is taken right after the first photo-op the two presidents had at the G7 summit after they had a tense back-and-forth on Twitter. They were smiling but Macron gripped Trump's hand quite hard and I noticed that it left a visible impression on Trump's hand."

Kevin Lamarque: "I could not see the words on the Melania's jacket when she boarded Air Force One. I only heard about it once airborne. But there was no way I was going to miss it again, and to my utter astonishment, she was wearing it once more upon her return to Washington."

11 Jul 2018. Brussels, Belgium. Reuters/Francois Lenoir

U.S. President Donald Trump attends a meeting of the North Atlantic Council during a NATO summit in Brussels. Francois Lenoir: "I like the contrast in the photograph. The presence of U.S. President Trump posing smiling and the lack of interest of the officials in the background."

13 Jul 2018. London, United Kingdom. Reuters/Peter Nicholls

Peter Nicholls: "I took this picture of the Trump blimp from a wall at the back of Parliament Square, to get a clear view from above the crowd, as it was revealed for the first time, prior to a day of protests during his visit to the UK, mid-July."

18 Jul 2018. Washington, United States. Reuters/Leah Millis

Leah Millis: "This is a fairly common scene at the White House, especially with (White House counselor) Kellyanne Conway. Often the press will wait yards off while she or another member of the Trump administration gives a live interview (usually to Fox News). Conway will then have to walk by the rest of the press, everyone hopes that she will give another interview to the group."

2 Aug 2018. Wilkes-Barre, United States. Reuters/Leah Millis

Leah Millis: "The President's rallies are well-known at this point, we attend a lot of them as members of the White House travel pool. This father-daughter situation really stood out from the crowd because of the juxtaposition of the mask and the tenderness between the two of them."

4 Aug 2018. Morristown, United States. Reuters/Leah Millis

Leah Millis: "We photograph departures and landings hundreds of times. Sometimes, as in this case, the clouds or the light can give you a little gift."

11 Aug 2018. Bedminster, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Carlos Barria: "President Trump likes to be celebrated by supporters, and none better than a group known as "Bikers for Trump," which visited him at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this summer. Unfortunately, it poured down that day and plans for an outdoor event gave way to a short visit inside the clubhouse for a group photo."

13 Aug 2018. Fort Drum, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Carlos Barria: "President Trump often talks about how much he likes big planes and tanks, and the "beautiful military." This summer he had an up-close look during a visit to a military base in New York state, where he signed the National Defense Authorization Act."

11 Sep 2018. Shanksville, United States. Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk with park superintendent Stephen Clark at the Flight 93 National Memorial during the 17th annual September 11 observance at the memorial near Shanksville. Kevin Lamarque: "A somber moment, this image came together because of the scale and symmetry of the wall panels and the people in the photo."

11 Sep 2018. Joint Base Andrews, United States. Reuters/Leah Millis

Leah Millis: "I took this photograph from the motorcade as we drove by this eerie scene of fog surrounding Air Force One. It was lined up like that for a split second."

11 Sep 2018. Johnstown, United States. Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures after arriving in Pennsylvania to take part in the 17th annual September 11 observance at the Flight 93 National Memorial. Kevin Lamarque: "Celebratory fist pumps on a national day of mourning and reflection caught even the most seasoned of us off guard."

27 Sep 2018. Washington, United States. Reuters/Jim Bourg

Jim Bourg: "The moment looks peaceful as if Christine Blasey Ford had closed her eyes in thought, but the image actually reflects the fact that in the nine seconds that she had her hand up to be sworn in to testify, she blinked nine times out of nervousness. Blasey Ford then began her testimony moments later by saying: 'I am here today not because I want to be. I am terrified. I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to tell you what happened to me while Brett Kavanaugh and I were in high school.'"

6 Oct 2018. Cairo, Egypt. Reuters/Carlo Allegri

Carlo Allegri: "The First Lady had taken a tour of African nations and could not depart the continent without a visit to the incredible pyramids of Egypt where I, as part of the traveling press pool, was able to make this photo of her looking out over Giza Pyramid Complex."

1 Nov 2018. Columbia, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Carlos Barria: "In a last push before the mid-term elections, President Trump traveled for six consecutive days, attending two or three rallies a day, to boost Republican candidates. Most of the rallies were held in airport hangars for an easy flight in and out. Sometimes, the rallies were held in the middle of the night, like this one at Columbia Regional Airport in Columbia, Missouri."

3 Nov 2018. Belgrade, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Carlos Barria: "As a White House photographer I'm always looking for a way to connect the President, Donald Trump, with a place. Before the mid-term elections Trump spent six days campaigning across the country, and at most of the rallies the visual elements were so similar that it was impossible to say whether we were in Florida or Alaska. In this case, though, the context was obvious. We arrived at a rally in Montana and I noticed a group of Native Americans wearing traditional headdresses behind the podium. For me this was the picture of the day."

7 Nov 2018. Washington, United States. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

A White House staff member reaches for the microphone held by CNN's Jim Acosta as he questions U.S. President Donald Trump during a news conference following midterm U.S. congressional elections. Jonathan Ernst: "Covering politics has always felt to me like photographing a live theatre production - the actors and stage are usually set in a familiar way. But even if you've seen a specific play many times, there is always the possibility that there will be something exciting or new. It became obvious during this exchange that the dialogue was going in a different direction than expected, and I took it as a cue to make sure I give the scene extra attention."

11 Nov 2018. Paris, France. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Carlos Barria: "During a recent visit to France and just days after a gunman opened fire at a Pittsburgh synagogue, President Trump visited a WWI cemetery to honor American soldiers. As he spoke, I noted a gravestone at a side angle — a lonely Star of David in the middle of rows and rows of crosses. I felt in this moment, the image carried more meaning than the words."